The proposed project by the Barcelona City Council and the Catalan Government to build a Provincial Court building on the current "historic site" of the city (Passeig Lluís Companys, 1-5) is a complete absurdity. And it is absurd both in terms of its content and its procedure.
1. ContentThis is a highly questionable decision, both from a historical and cultural perspective and from an urban planning perspective.
First, the history. The site, along with the former Explanada promenade, is linked to the consequences of the construction of the Ciutadella after the Bourbon troops occupied the city in 1714. This led to the destruction of a third of the Ribera district and the suppression of the Replanada and political uprisings (a repression shared with Montjuïc Castle). This space partially occupies the site of, among other things, the artisan guilds, the industrial area of the Acequia Comtal canal, and the city's defensive thoroughfare.
It is necessary to reclaim our stolen history. It is paradoxical that the majority of the population believes, for example, that the Ciutadella is simply the name of a park (there are few informational signs). Establishing the judicial institution of a state that has distinguished itself by combating the country's identity, language, and national memory is tantamount to driving the repressive nail in. And now, self-governing institutions that appear subservient to the will of that state intend to do so. A perverse paradox. It is impossible to present this as a "progressive" decision.
Secondly, the site is an important reference point for the city's archaeology. This week there has been news in this regardThe oldest remains date from the Early Middle Ages (9th-10th centuries). It was also the site of the Palace of Fine Arts (Barcelona Universal Exposition, 1888), a significant moment in the city's resurgence after the destruction of the city walls (1854) and the Citadel (1869). The Palace was very active politically, culturally, and internationally until the Spanish Civil War. It was bombed by the Italian air force (1938). During the Francoist dictatorship, the municipal courts were built there (1964-2009) until they were demolished (2017), finally allowing for the restoration of the Ciutat Vella's skyline.
Third, the redevelopment of this space presents an opportunity to modernize a key urban transition point between the Eixample and Ciutat Vella districts, bordering the Sant Pere, Santa Caterina, and La Ribera neighborhoods. Barcelona would optimize the urban planning of a promenade that has remained unresolved until now. Given its significant impact on the community and its historical, urban, and cultural significance, it would be advisable for this space to be designated a cultural asset of national interest (BCIN).
Fourthly, the lack of green space in Ciutat Vella is very noticeable (5.8 m2/inhabitant, including the Ciutadella Park, a value lower than the city average and the one recommended by the World Health Organization). Transforming this space for citizen use is part of the challenges associated with climate change in a city with a Mediterranean climate and as dense as Barcelona.
2. ProcedureIn democratic terms, a decision of this nature goes beyond mere administrative decisions. It is a decision that I believe cannot be made without the voice of the citizens. The city belongs to the citizens, not to the administrations.
First, the legal basis for this project is a Francoist decree from 1957. This decision demonstrated the complicity of the Francoist City Council with the dictatorship in a site that was a key part of the city's plundering. Building the Provincial Court on this site means that the Generalitat (Catalan government) and the City Council are literally carrying out the dictator's orders.
Secondly, a group of civil, civic, and neighborhood organizations, united in the Historic Site Platform, are demanding the transformation of this space in two ways: a green space for the public and a restoration that explains the historical events experienced by the city (and the country). This presents an opportunity to implement participatory democracy processes.
Thirdly, the design for the courthouse has been commissioned to the architecture firm RCR (Olot). The Historic Site Platform has already informed this team of the civil and citizen opposition to the construction of the courthouse in a location where residents face significant problems such as gentrification, social exclusion, antisocial behavior, high housing prices, inadequate municipal services, noise, and so on.
The Provincial Court should be located in the City of Justice complex. If this proves unfeasible, it could be situated in other vacant lots or buildings within the city (Palau Square, Ronda San Pedro, etc.). Alternatively, given its provincial nature, it could be established in any other city within the province.
In short, the current administrations' project squanders an urban development opportunity, in addition to insisting on the expropriation of a site of vital importance to the city's and the country's history. Citizens' rights should take precedence over the interests of the judges. The City Council and the Generalitat still have time to demonstrate that they are up to the challenge of this new democratic era and respect for citizens' rights. This is not a neighborhood or district issue: it is a city and national issue.
